meet the owners: RAGE HAIR SALON Uptown Kingston

by Samantha Manzella photos by Matt Petricone

November 05, 2016

A new year offers a chance for change. What better way to ring in 2017 than with a new ‘do? Luckily, there is no need to travel far for expert haircare. Joe Perry and Michael McGowan, hairstylists and co-owners of Rage Hair Salon in Kingston, will help you get your style on track.

With over 40 years of experience in the industry, Michael and Joe—affectionately known by his colleagues and clients as Joey—are veritable hair experts. Unlike most people who spend their entire lives working in one industry, Michael and Joe have never tired of hairstyling. If anything, their passion has only blossomed.

Michael and Joe founded Rage in 1986 with their third business partner, Susan Benincasa, who passed away three years ago. To Michael and Joe, Susan was much more than a co-owner.

“We were inseparable,” Michael says. “We did everything together.” Michael truly means everything: The three hairstylists—all born and raised in Kingston—lived together, worked together, and played together.

Their story begins in the ‘80s, back when Michael was just 19 years old and worked with Susan in a salon. Joe, a few years older than Michael at the time, was already friends with Susan and had stopped by the salon one day.

“Joey had this great head of hair, and I asked, ‘Can I cut your hair?’” Michael says.

“And he said, ‘Okay, sure,’ and the rest was history.”

Before Rage, Michael, Joe, and Susan spent their Sundays working at a clothing store in Woodstock. The trio met many musicians from the ‘80s rock scene, who they dressed and styled with passion and a keen eye for design. Their time at the store in Woodstock even landed the trio an apartment in New York City, where Michael, Joe, and Susan spent 18 years freelancing as hairstylists.

“It was an amazing time,” Joe says. Now, Michael and Joe run Rage, joined by three other staff members: Carolyn Craig, Mary Rios, and Christine Gagnon. The team is very close-knit, almost like family, Michael says, and customers love this dynamic.

The team is very close-knit, almost like family, Michael says, and customers love this dynamic.

Rage is the oldest salon still up and running in Uptown Kingston, but it is as trendy and fabulous as ever. The salon’s talented staff can help with any hair need, including coloring, cutting, straightening, hair extensions, and more. There’s always something new to learn in the hair world, and the staff at Rage hone their craft with regular classes at the L’Oréal Academy in New York City.

What makes Rage truly special, though, is its rich history of community engagement. Michael, Joe, and the staff at Rage regularly participate in fundraisers and auctions for causes they believe in, such as Planned Parenthood of Ulster and Dutchess County or the O-Positive Festival.

The shop’s windows—always adorned with beautiful and meaningful displays— have become a staple in Uptown Kingston.

“People love coming here because it’s a fun place,” Michael and Joe say. “We make it fun, and everyone is welcome.”

What makes Rage truly special, though, is its rich history of community engagement.